“Looking Forward by Looking Back”
The expectation of Advent is anchored in the event of God’s incarnation. The more I come in touch with what happened in the past, the more I come in touch with what is to come. The Gospel not only reminds me of what took place but also of what will take place. In the contemplation of Christ’s first coming, I can discover the signs of his second coming. By looking back in meditation, I can look forward in expectation. By reflection, I can project; by conserving the memory of Christ’s birth, I can progress to the fulfillment of his kingdom. I am struck by the fact that the prophets speaking about the future of Israel always kept reminding their people of God’s great works in the past. They could look forward with confidence because they could look backward with awe to Yahweh’s great deeds.
Henri Nouwen
Mission
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Vision
Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ. We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.
Priorities
Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth
Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups
Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond
Worship This Week
The season of Advent continues this week. Our focus this year is on the cities and towns that play a role in the Nativity story. Our message series is titled “On the Way to Bethlehem” and this week’s message will focus on Jerusalem – A Place of Waiting. This week our Scripture will focus on the story of Zechariah & Elizabeth, as found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 5 through 20.
In the days of King Herod, of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people were praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years?”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”Our services will begin with the song Somebody Prayed, by Crowder. Our opening hymn will be Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, followed by Near to the Heart of God. We will conclude our service by singing the first two verses of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. At the 10:20 service, our Choir will share When Will the Little King Come as our prelude.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at approximately 10:25 am following our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Thank You! A big thanks goes out to everyone who helped us decorate the church. All the many hands made for light work. Thank you all for the help.
2024 Angel Tree – Another big thank you goes out to everyone who picked angels off the Angel Tree. Please remember we will need the gifts no later than this Sunday, December 8th. The Angel Tree Party will be held at the church on Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 a.m. We are asking for donations of cookies from the congregation. Everyone is invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels”.
Christmas Parade December 7 – The Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 7th at 3:00. We will meet at church at 2:00 on west side of church to get ready for the Christmas Parade. Everyone is welcome to ride. If you’re riding with us, don’t forget to bring some candy to throw.
Puzzled About the Perfect Gift?
The puzzles have arrived and are available to all who have placed an order. Additionally, we have one 500 piece puzzle, five 1,000 piece puzzles, and three 48 piece puzzles remaining. The puzzles are $25 each and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please speak with Jo Parker or Pastor Chris for more information.
Order Christmas Poinsettias by December 9 – Those of you that would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please pick up one of the forms located on the table back in the refreshment area. The list will be in the December 24th bulletin. Please deliver the form to the church by Monday, December 9th or drop it in the offering box on Sunday. Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial, UMC, in the amount of $15.00, and in the memo line write poinsettia. Thank you!
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing December 14 – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 14, 2024. We still need volunteers for one remaining one-hour time slot from 3 pm – 4 pm. Please help to make a difference with every ring. A sign-up sheet will be in the East Wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship).
Mark Your Calendars – The Living Nativity is returning Sunday, December 22. This year, it will feature NMUMC children and youth.
Christmas Cheer Stockings – We are once again delivering goodies to our homebound friends before Christmas. Each stocking will hold approximately $10.00 worth of goodies. If you would like to contribute, please be sure to mark your gift as Christmas Stockings on the check or giving envelope.
Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders and Friends – We are asking the congregation to mail out Christmas cards to the following names below. The addresses for the names listed will be located on the refreshment table. We will also have a supply of Christmas cards for you, if you need them. God bless you for participating in this endeavor.
Virginia Brownfield, Ada Gingrich, Sandy Farris, Elise Langkop, Phillis Otis, Gene and Donna Reagan, Bart Riley, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten.
Giving Through Venmo – We can be found on Venmo at @NelsonMemorialUMC. If you don’t know what Venmo is and would like to learn more, information about giving through Venmo can be found on our webpage at https://nelsonmemorialumc.org/give/venmo/
Events this week:
Saturday, December 7: Methodist Men – 8:30 am, Lounge
Christmas Parade – 2:00 pm, 4th Street
Sunday, December 8: Youth Christmas Party – 5:30 pm, Jackson’s Home
Monday, December 9: TOPS – 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting – 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 10: PEO Meeting – Fellowship Hall, 6:00 pm
Wednesday, December 11: Women’s Bible Study – 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 12: Praise Band Practice – 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, December 13: Al-Anon Meeting – 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, December 14: Salvation Army Bell Ringing – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Boonville Walmart
Angel Tree Party – 11:00 am, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Silence is the discipline by which the inner fire of God is tended and kept alive.” Henri Nouwen